Advertise on podcast: Rise The Podcast

Kwesi Millington welcomes Scott Meldin to the Rise The Podcast to discuss police wellness.

Kwesi Millington welcomes Sri Mahabir to the "Rise" The Podcast to discuss the power of community and new beginnings.

Kwesi Millington welcomes Norm DeVarennes to Rise The Podcast. Norm DeVarennes was a police officer with the RCMP for 28 years. In both this podcast and his book, he dives deep into his emotion as he reflects on the effect a career in policing on his mental health. His goal is to have other first responders see themselves through the eyes of the author while it will help people from the general public on what generally happens to police officers during a career on the streets. Listen to and read his book to understand how the mind of a shy, non-confrontational person, transformed into a person that was ready for battle at the drop of a dime. Stay connected: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/norm-devarennes-15096567/ Get Norm’s book, Invisible Wounds: https://www.amazon.ca/Invisible-Wounds-emotional-journey-officers-ebook/dp/B08F5K14G4

Kwesi Millington welcomes Deon Joseph who discusses shifting perspectives and saving skid row. Deon Joseph is an LEO (Law Enforcement Officer), as well as a Law Enforcement Consultant and Trainer on Homelessness and Community Policing. From patrolling the streets to meeting with public figures and advocating for change, Deon is driven to influence an environment for the homeless that helps them to reclaim their lives from the grips of their complex issues. Deon has created The Housing Program and The Open Door Project in an effort to creatively dispel the fear that many homeless people have of law enforcement. His programs are designed to empower the residents of Skid Row and create real change and impact. Stay connected with Deon: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deon-joseph-898549124/ Website - www.deonjoseph.org Email - [email protected]

Shelly Elsliger is a ball of positivity....we talk about so much in this podcast, but here's a bit about her: WHO AM I? Not your typical LinkedIn Trainer that is for sure! I focus on Social Reciprocity as a way for you to WIN ON LINKEDIN! It is very important to have an optimized LinkedIn Story but it will be your belief in your story, how you pay it forward, and how you tap into a market who will want to read it – so much so that they will keep returning for more and more…I did not inherit the title LinkedIn CKO (Chief Kindness Officer) for nothing. My goal is to help you build a globally supportive community on LinkedIn where your LinkedIn relationship building skills shine and your kindness builds trust. The time is NOW to blaze your unique trail, create LinkedIn “AHA” moments, and revolutionize how you and your team own your space, tell your unique and individualized stories, approach LinkedIn as a unified and supportive team, do what you need to do to become thought leaders, and approach LinkedIn like a BOSS and be ready to say, I am ready for a mindset “SHIFT” to happen! I have spread LinkedIn Goodness in well over 400 (workshops, talks, keynotes) for executive teams, associations, departments, entrepreneurs, job seekers, special groups, and for amazing women leaders! I have two signature workshops: LinkedIn in High Heels: Rise Up and Lead Online. It is all about kicking imposter to the curb and creating a transition for women leaders to Lead-IN, Listen-IN, Link-IN, and become IN-fluential leaders online. The POWER of your LinkedIn Story and Social Reciprocity takes you on a journey of finding out what success looks like on LinkedIn and how you are going to get yourself there. I am a certified Coach, member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), A women of Inspiration Winner, a Forbes Writer, and on the list of globally recognized LinkedIn experts. My diverse experience as a professional LinkedIn Trainer and Coach allows me to bring a unique breadth of knowledge, as well as an aspect of fun and passion, to all my workshops and talks. This is very important because you should be enjoying your LinkedIn journey. “LinkedIn is no longer and option, it is a must stop shop for professionals who want an amazing tool that will support their transition into professional greatness” Connect with Shelly - https://linkedexpress.ca/about-me/ Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/selsliger/

Kwesi Millington welcomes Trauma Informed Conflict Management & Resiliency Specialist / Workplace Assessment & Restoration / Consultant / International Trauma Informed Workshop Facilitator Treena Reilkoff.

Kwesi sits down with Toronto Police Officer Dale Swift, to discuss policing communities and bridging the gap. It is no secret that policing isn’t the most popular career choice these days. From being unfairly and broadly painted as bad apples, to being attacked and insulted, to officers opting for early retirement due to stress and mental health issues all over North America, it is no wonder that fewer people are choosing this as a job. However, being a former police officer myself, I know the rewards of doing the job. It is not just about saving lives. Police officers help communities, heal families, and give people hope. That is exactly what my guest on the RISE podcast, Toronto Police Officer Dale Swift, is doing. From his empowering and vulnerable posts on his popular Instagram page (tpswiftd), to his work with not only his city, but the black community, he is an officer that is not only doing the badge proud, but truly making a difference in his city. #cop4unity #cop4community Stay connected with Dale, an officer whose mantra is BE THE DIFFERENCE, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tpswiftd/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tpswiftd?lang=en Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-swift-16645292/?originalSubdomain=ca

Kwesi Millington welcomes widow support coach Petra Gordon who is on a mission to transform the expectations surrounding widowhood. You can move through times of adversity and find new purpose for living. I met Petra a few years ago, and invited her to speak on my StoryShare stage. Her passion and power immediately blew me away and I knew we would always stay connected. What brought her onto the RISE podcast however, was her personal story of love, loss and resilience… About Petra... After my husband died, I didn’t want to be called a widow. He passed unexpectedly at the young age of 42, and my entire world turned upside down. I never saw it coming. Every woman experiences widowhood differently. I was 38 when I lost my husband, and it felt impossible to imagine life without him. But over time I discovered a strength within me I never knew I had. Within the first year after my husband died, I was able to: Pay off all our debt Settle his estate Purchase a new home Self-publish my first book Launch my coaching practice I realized I can move forward with my life, even while I’m still knee-deep in my grief. I can experience happiness again. And you can, too. Follow Petra at - https://petraegordon.com/

I'm pleased to welcome Eric Muldrow of @coderedconversations on the RISE podcast to discuss race and policing. He laid it out unapologetically and the full interview has truths that are unpopular and uncomfortable, but need to be said. About Eric: "Eric began his career in Law Enforcement after serving in the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic. After being honorably discharged, he began working as an Officer at Westville Correctional Center, being assigned to the Maximum Security Housing Unit (GSC) In December 0f 1996, he was hired on by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department as a Corrections Officer in The CLark County Detention Center. In 2006, Eric attended LVMPD's Police Officer Academy where he graduated with honors. In 2014, He retired after an over 20-year career. In 2016, Eric began speaking out publicly in response to the growing anti-police movement & many of the sometimes questionable police/civilian confrontations. In 2018, he founded Code Red Conversation. Using the knowledge gained from years of working in many challenging environments. He seeks to spread light on the realities of a Police Use of Force, as well as the issues and challenges that truly exist within the Law Enforcement field. His mission is to do his part to improve the tactics of officers and strengthen the publics' knowledge & trust in Law Enforcement." About Code Red Conversations: "At Code Red Conversations, our passion is for the everyday citizen, and law enforcement. Our primary goals are: 1. To bridge the cultural gap between the public and those who have pledged "Protect and Serve". Through thought-provoking presentations along side healthy & balanced discussions, We move past the barriers for the betterment of all involved! 2. In a world that seems to grow increasingly unpredictable and dangerous, how does one keep themselves and their loved ones safe. At Code Red Conversations, we use our over 25 years of uniformed service (Military, Police, and Corrections), to help the average citizen improve their personal safety & situational awareness skills." https://www.coderedconversations.com/

Special Guest: Singer, Author, Speaker & Coach Alana Dela Cruz Alana does it all. She is a speaker, author and survivor. I'll let her describe her journey in words before you listen to the podcast... "I'm pretty much an open book about my life mess being turned into a message for the masses. I didn't go through these life experiences and long healing journeys for nothing! ha! I've been married and divorced 3 times- engaged 5 times (I'm currently engaged) The first two husbands were abusive in different forms -- husband #1- sexually exploited me and attempted to prostitute me to rich men, husband #2-- verbally, emotionally, physically and spiritually abused me, husband #3-- sadly ended due to his changing his mind about wanting children. Resilience came from having to literally press "the RESTART button" each time I encountered these extremely difficult relationship trials. Then also overcame the physical illness that usually followed due enduring the stress of it all. I honestly feel like I've received "The PURPLE HEART of Toxic Relationships" award similar to that of brave soldiers that were wounded yet survived the most treacherous battlefields. However, my hope is that Diamonds will not see themselves as "one in the line of duty" sacrificing themselves and paying an ultimate price for the sake of keeping a ring on their finger or not letting go of a " futile hope" way of thinking towards their abusers. My mission is to help women discover WHO they REALLY are BEFORE they even step foot inside an abusive relationship. They are a DIAMOND at the time of birth-- born with a mission, duty and calling in life to use their God-given talents and gifts to help bring this dark world into a BRIGHT LIGHT! " Follow her at https://alanadelacruz.com/ #buildingresilience #risepodcast Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

Pauly Plewa and I first met when I coached him on his first TED talk. You can watch his TED talk at the link below, but here's what the CBC wrote about him for a feature interview... "Soon after his motocross accident, Pauly Plewa was given a brochure and asked to pick the colour of the wheelchair that he would soon get. With a devastating back injury that required his vertebrae to be fused together with metal rods, he was told that his chance of regaining any sensation below his chest was less than two per cent. Three years later, not only is he able to walk on his own feet, he is also getting ready for a 10-kilometre run." Pauly is an inspiration in resilience, and I am happy to be able to interview him about his story, and continuing courage. WATCH Pauly Plewa's TED Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8AzABQ_2_0 CBC News Report - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/headlines/motocross-star-pauly-plewa-to-run-for-1st-time-since-spinal-cord-injury-1.3021940 Connect with Pauly online: https://www.enterprisestressmanagement.com/ #buildingresilience #risepodcast Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

Kwesi Millington welcomes licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience Dr. Jay McGrory. Jay works extensively with first responders and in particular with police. He is the consulting psychologist to the Windsor Police Service and Lasalle Police Service Peer Support Teams. Dr. McGrory also has an interest in working with athletes and has worked with the NHL/NHLPA and OHL Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club. Jay has some key insights into policing and what it takes to build first responder resilience.